Luke the beloved physician wrote how Paul told the elders in Ephesus, “I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me”, and in chapter twenty and verse thirty-five of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul told the Ephesians, “I have showed you all things” where we read:
I have showed you all things, how that so laboring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
The verse begins, “I have showed you all things, how that so laboring you ought to support the weak, ...” Luke began with the words, “I have showed you” which means “I, Paul, taught and instructed by words and arguments you, elders and believers in the church in Ephesus” “all things” or “each, every, the whole and everything”, “how that so laboring” which means “in what way and manner as an example through growing weary, tired and exhausted” “you ought to support the weak” or “you, elders and believers in the church of Ephesus, should lay hold of, hold fast, partake and succor the feeble, without strength, powerless and sick”. Luke shared how “Paul” told the “elders in the church in Ephesus” that he had demonstrated before them how they should work to strengthen the “feeble and powerless believers” among them.
The verse continues, “... and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Luke added the words, “and to remember the words” which means “and to call to mind, be mindful and hold in memory the speeches, decrees and mandates” “of the Lord Jesus” or “belonging to the One to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has power of deciding; master, and the title given to God the Messiah whose name is Jesus which means Jehovah is Salvation and is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate”, “how he said” which means “in what way and manner he, Jesus, uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “it is more blessed to give” or “it is happier, of greater fortune and exceedingly well off to grant, bestow, furnish and supply” “than to receive” which means “rather than to accept, lay hold of, claim and procure for one's self”. Luke shared how “Paul” wanted the people to “recall” “Jesus' words” who proclaimed that “giving” had greater blessing with it than “receiving”. (See Luke 14:12-14)
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” was concerned for the “elders and believers in the church of Ephesus” to be “givers” to those in need, and they were to “recall” Jesus' words that encouraged them toward a greater blessing by “giving” to people rather than “receiving” from them. God loves people, and He is a “giver”. He “gave” His Only Begotten Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of the whole world, and anyone who yields themselves to Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with Him. God wants His followers to be like Him and “give” to others who are in need, and when they follow His example, those who are weak have their needs met by God's provision and care.
Next time Luke shares how Paul, “kneeled down, and prayed with them all”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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